Building my 1981 SC

[otif]

So a couple months ago I decided to restore my '81. It was a good car to begin with, but I had been itching for a project like this for quite some time and there weren't any takers on the car (it was for sale), so I figured I'd have a go at it.


At first, being somewhat of a purist, I was going to restore to 100% original. After lot's of consideration, however, I decided to build more of a hot rod(ish), type car.

First, I stripped it down to a shell, I left some hoses and other tidbits on the car, but it was pretty much completely stripped down. The suspension (all of it) was sandblasted, acid cleaned, and all new bushings were put in. New inserts and rear shocks replaced the old, cross drilled rotors, rebuilt the brake calipers, all new pads (of course), braided brake lines (the part from the car to the calipers only), and I'm sure I'm missing something, but you get the idea.

Then, I ordered a center fill gas cap kit from TRE (through my local shop, Vertex, which has been a great help throughout the entire process.), had the tank welded (by a local welder, I wouldn't try that myself), cut the hole in the hood, and I gotta say, I LOVE THE LOOK! I welded shut the gas door and antenna openings.

Forgot to mention that the engine was pulled and has been rebuilt by Vertex. Still debating whether or not to do the tranny too. It shifted fine, but may do it anyways for good measure. Some input from you guys would be helpful.

The interior will be done in suede and leather. Going for the RS look on the seats, but with my own touches. I'll post pics once I get to that point of the build, actually buy some seats, and get them refinished. The dashboard, along with some other interior bits is at ,my upholstery guys shop getting recovered in suede.

Well, that's pretty much where I'm at, but here are some pictures of the whole process.

Enjoy, and please share your comments...

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This shot was before I decided to change the engine shroud color to grey...

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[Bob Kontak]

That is a project.

I love the garage. That up top sections gives me some ideas.

I use that same Transtar primer for spot repair. It is awesome. If you are going back to black, and you have not mentioned your intentions, you may want to lay down some two part primer, then some high solids primer. Of course, then wet sand your natural ass off.

[Bob Kontak]

Off topic, have you removed the engine ever in the Spider? I have a pal with an 81-ish that has a flywheel stuck to the PP. From what I am hearing, best to pull the whole shooting match. The transmission tower thingie looks to be a stinker as far as just dropping the gear box.

[Bird911]

Hi Ralph,

What type/brand of silver paint did you used on the suspension parts ?

Nice project BTW !

[otif]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

That is a project.

I love the garage. That up top sections gives me some ideas.

I use that same Transtar primer for spot repair. It is awesome. If you are going back to black, and you have not mentioned your intentions, you may want to lay down some two part primer, then some high solids primer. Of course, then wet sand your natural ass off.

Thanks!

Forgot to mention. Car will be going back to its original color, which is (according to my research) Grey Metallic. Looks like a metallic slate grey. It's going to have silver accents to match the suspension. As far as the ass is concerned... Believe me, it's wet sanded clean off already!

[otif]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Off topic, have you removed the engine ever in the Spider? I have a pal with an 81-ish that has a flywheel stuck to the PP. From what I am hearing, best to pull the whole shooting match. The transmission tower thingie looks to be a stinker as far as just dropping the gear box.

Never removed the engine on it. I did more of a rolling restoration. It has only 85K miles on it, and it runs like a top. Maybe someday I'll go nuts and do that one too, but I have another SC that's first in line.

[otif]

Originally Posted by Bird911

Hi Ralph,

What type/brand of silver paint did you used on the suspension parts ?

Nice project BTW !

Thanks! Believe it or not, I've found that caliper paint works really well on the suspension parts. I basically sandblast them, acid wash them, primer, and paint with the caliper paint. I also clear coat them for added protection. They come out great, and stand up to normal road debris really well.

[otif]

Originally Posted by Bird911

Hi Ralph,

What type/brand of silver paint did you used on the suspension parts ?

Nice project BTW !

I'll let you know the brand when I go back to the shop

[otif]

Correction: It's Meteor Metallic.

Sorry about that

[Reiver]

Man, hell of a nice project and you are getting busy.
Did you weigh all of the sun roof 'stuff' and if so what did it come in at? I've considered that delete myself but I always get talked out of it by the 'originality' or 'it's not that much of a weight saving' crowd.
I rarely use the damn thing and I like the cleaner look but would be happy with the weight loss at that height..

[otif]

Originally Posted by Reiver

Man, hell of a nice project and you are getting busy.
Did you weigh all of the sun roof 'stuff' and if so what did it come in at? I've considered that delete myself but I always get talked out of it by the 'originality' or 'it's not that much of a weight saving' crowd.
I rarely use the damn thing and I like the cleaner look but would be happy with the weight loss at that height..

Didn't really weigh it. Wasn't going for less weight as it's not a track car. I figure it would save about 15 pounds if you take out the extra metal they use as a housing (is that the right word?) for the sunroof itself. My 930 had it taken out, but that car is a 2300 pound true track car. Actually made a difference (or the difference meant something) in that car. As for this one, I just really like the look of these cars without the sunroof.

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Sorry about the bad pics

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Pics were backwards last time. Sorry


Took her out to get some sun today...







As her jealous sister looked on, wondering when she too will receive such special treatment...

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by otif

I figure it would save about 15 pounds if you take out the extra metal they use as a housing for the sunroof itself.

Just talking here, coffee kicked in.....

Estimating weight is a crap shoot. Reason I say this is because a member is considering borrowing my engine yolk. I write. "Oh man, it's got to be 25 pounds". I finally weigh it, 12 pounds.

However, if it were a track car, and you bolted it to the center of your roof, I bet you would notice a difference.

[otif]

Totally a crapshoot. Hell, I look in a mirror and say "175, tops"... Not even close!

[otif]

Originally Posted by Bird911

Hi Ralph,

What type/brand of silver paint did you used on the suspension parts ?

Nice project BTW !

Hugo,

Here's a pic of the caliper paint I use. Duplicolor...

[Bird911]

Thanks Ralph for the info.